World War II Homefront: Exploring Yorkville's German Sympathizer Past

In honor of George Washington’s birthday on February, 20th, 1939, over 20,000 Nazi sympathizers gathered in Madison Square Garden to cheer Adolph Hitler and boo “Franklin Rosenfeld” and the “Jew Deal.” While one might assume this was a scene from the dystopic television show The Man In The High Castle, this chilling event was just one of many actually happening across the country at the time. It's time to explore a small neighborhood in the Upper East Side in the run-up to World War II, and the Nazi agents and affiliates that lurked in its shadows.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the forgotten chapter of New York City history before the United States entered World War II, when German spies, saboteurs, and sympathizers had infiltrated — and integrated into — communities throughout the tri-state area including the Manhattan neighborhood of Yorkville.

Led by writer, historian, and licensed New York City tour guide Robert Brenner, this on-the-ground exploration of Yorkville and its unsettling past will include:

• Stories of the men who dreamed of becoming Führer of the United States and their connection to the Upper East Side
• The German saboteurs who invaded NYC via German U-boat and LIRR, including their activity in Yorkville and secret graves in Washington, DC
• A visit to the former Nazi front organization that ran summer camps in Long Island and New Jersey
• A stop at a major synagogue in the neighborhood, which was located right next to a Park Avenue doctor who led a Nazi spy ring
• A walk past German businesses and cultural landmarks that date back to the early 20th century

See you there!

*Please bring a water bottle and comfortable pair of shoes as we’ll be doing a lot of walking!

About Robert

Robert Brenner is a licensed New York City tour guide, a certified member of the Guides Association of New York City (GANYC), and an almost lifelong New Yorker. He started exploring the city on his own as a teenager in the 1970s, and moved here permanently in the 1980s. In 2014 he launched his own small, independent, boutique walking tour company, Pig Feet Walking Tours, specializing in offbeat history, culture, and food walking tours; since then he has led walking tours for the Municipal Art Society, the Van Alen Institute, the Historic District Council, the Museum of Sex, and many other organizations. He currently lives in Chelsea with his wife and is pursuing a Masters in New York Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center.

Testimonials

" Fascinating tour where I learned much than I thought possible! Loved it" -James

" The tour guide was amazing, super interested in the topic and knew a ton. I learned a tremendous amount of really important untold history, such as that Henry Ford published an antisemitic pamphlet that was the recursive to the Elders of Zion, and that there were tons of white supremacist types vying to the furor of the US as WWII raged. This is one the best NYAC tours I’ve been on. The tour guide was such an incredible wealth of information." -Mikhahil

" The presentation of historic events was outstanding." -Jerry

" The guide indeed is an expert in the topic" -Guest

"Robert's depth of knowledge is obvious when he responds to questions." -Henry

"The guide was well-organized and clear, as well as very informative about a fascinating subject." -Linda

"The guide was unexpectedly very entertaining given the seriousness of the subject matter and imparted lots of new knowledge. Well orchestrated as we always find NY Adventure Club tours to be. Thank you!" -Carol

"As usual, everything. The guide was informative and friendly, and certainly knows his subject. Thank you, Robert, again for a terrific and informative tour." -Rima

"It provided an insight into a little known aspect of 20th c NY history. The guide was v informative and ready to rersond to questions." -William

Disclaimer

Event takes place rain or shine.

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Categories: In-Person, Neighborhood Tours

Host or Publisher New York Adventure Club